Lithium-ion batteries are the ideal candidate for electric cars. But they are disproportionately expensive. This is mainly due to the issue of safety - because it costs a lot of money. As a result, production for the mass market of electric vehicles is hardly possible at present. Nevertheless, all major car manufacturers want to enter this market. They are therefore cutting production costs and compromising on safety in the process. New test laboratories and uniform test standards can help to safeguard simpler designs.



As the trade magazine "Automobil Industrie" reports in its current issue of February 1, 2010, the USA is already further ahead in this matter. There, innovative energy storage systems are safeguarded by test regulations for the mass market. In Germany, on the other hand, the Federal Motor Transport Authority is hoping for a European regulation before the end of this year. However, experts doubt that the desired test standard will do justice to the great importance of lithium-ion batteries.



TÜV Süd has now launched its own series of tests. Cetecom Services GmbH Saarbrücken (RWTÜV Group) is also investing in a test laboratory, which has already been classified as eligible for funding by the Federal Ministry of Transport. According to "Automobil Industrie", the goal is clear: a national testing unit to support electromobility in Germany.



"Automobil Industrie" addresses the managers of car manufacturers, suppliers, equipment suppliers and service providers. The monthly trade magazine has a circulation of around 15,000 copies and has been a must-read in the industry for over 50 years. Daily news from the entire automotive industry is available at www.automobil-industrie.de and in the regular newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is one of the leading German providers of specialist information with around 100 trade journals and 60 websites as well as numerous international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg.